A crackdown on motorists who drive too close to cyclists is taking place in Bath today.

Avon and Somerset police are stopping motorists on hotspot roads with a high number of ‘near misses’ as part of a new initiative, Operation Close Pass.

This is the first operation of its kind for the region and is being run on Lower Bristol Road in Bath.

It is being led by the Roads Policing Unit/Tri Force, which includes Avon and Somerset police in conjunction with Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Constabularies.

During the operation, plain clothes police officers on bikes will identify drivers who pass dangerously close and they will be stopped by colleagues.

Motorists will be offered road-side education on how to pass cyclists safely – including the opportunity to experience how much space should be given when overtaking – as an alternative to prosecution. They will also be looking out for cyclists behaving dangerously.

Chief Inspector Kevan Rowlands, Head of Road Safety Avon and Somerset police said: “Since the beginning of 2017 we’ve received more than 240 reports of near misses, which suggests that people aren’t aware of how much space they should leave when overtaking, or perhaps choose to ignore this advice.

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“Drivers should give cyclists at least the same amount of space as vehicles when overtaking, which is 1.5 metres or approximately a car door width. Anyone failing to leave enough space puts cyclists at risk and could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.

"As well as these set piece operations colleagues have volunteered to carry our cameras during their off duty recreational and commuting journeys on bikes.

“We will use the footage obtained to offer education to offending drivers or to prosecute where it is appropriate.

“I know cyclists behave badly too but that poor behaviour is less likely to result in death or serious injury than poor behaviour by the drivers of cars and other motor vehicles.”

“This project is also being supported by Cycling UK who are providing forces with equipment. Cycling on our roads needs to be safe and all road users need to work together to reduce instances of those being killed and seriously injured on our roads."

Operation Close Pass was developed by West Midlands Police and has proved to be an effective way of reducing near misses and improving safety on the roads for all road users.